I bought one of those jumpstarter batteries that doesn't require a second car. It says the car needs to be 12 AC or something? As opposed to 6 or 24... What does that mean? Any precautions or tips? It's currently charging in my guarage and I plan on using it tomorrow.
2007-11-02 07:57:54 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most cars produced in the US are 12vdc read the owners specifacations (found in your cars owners manual)for the voltage of your cars electrical system and make sure it matches your jump packs rated voltage output. If your vehicles electrical system operates at 12vdc then this battery pack should do the job. Be sure to wear the proper PPE , ie: safety glasses (read jump packs owners manual). First hookup the positive lead of the jump pack to the positive lead of the battery. Next hookup the negative lead from the jump pack to the chassis ground not the negative terminal of the battery. Keep your face away from the battery when you make this connection. just in case there is a problem. Read your jump pack manual and all the warnings before using the unit. When both connections are made then the car can be attempted to start. If the car does not turn over, then maybe there are mechanical issues that need to be repaired such as a starter. Note these instructions are not for all cars and sometimes you might need a professional to show you how to jump start your vehicle. Good Luck!
2007-11-02 08:20:35 · answer #1 · answered by Yuwho 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
6volt: old cars or small (non car) engines
12volt: today's standard
24volt: if you have an extra battery in the car. Some bigger diesels use these as well.
I always do it this way: Red is ALWAYS to the positive (+) side of the batteries and black to the negative (-).
Use this to be safe:
1) Dead car: (red) to the battery +
2) Live car: (red) to the battery +
3) Live car: (black) to the battery -
4) Dead car: (black) to ANY metal on the body of the car away from the battery. If it sparks anywhere it will be here, you want to make sure you do it in these steps to make sure no vapors from the battery can blow up.
I use these steps to test the connection as well. I will turn the lights on the dead car and wiggle the black on the dead car body connection until I see the lights get bright. If they don't, disconnect in the reverse order and reconnect following the same steps above.
When you have good lights on the dead car, turn off the lights, wait 1 minute and try to start. Don't go for more than 10 seconds to save your starter from over heating.
Note: make sure you keep the cables out of the way of the fan and pulleys.
2007-11-02 15:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by jimponder 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means the vehicle needs to have a 12 Volt electrical system, which most vehicles on the road have. It probably says 12 DC not AC. AC means alternating current, while you car's electrical is 12 Volt direct current. Older vehicles, (40's era and older) used 6 volt systems. So you couldn't use this on something like that.
2007-11-02 15:01:54 · answer #3 · answered by kdog 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All modern cars run on 12 volt batteries, unless your car is an old vintage or classic with the original electrics that used to be 6 volts it will run on 12 volts so you are safe to use it.
2007-11-02 15:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It will say 12V DC.
Make SURE you put the red lead on the "+" Positive Terminal & Black on the "–" Negative terminal of the battery.
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2007-11-02 15:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Always make sure you hook up the negative cable first and do not hook the cables up backwards on teh battery.
2007-11-02 15:05:42 · answer #6 · answered by jimapalooza 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
read all the instructions twice and wear safetyglasses
2007-11-02 15:03:52 · answer #7 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋